Leaf Collection Programs

11/16/18 update at 4:30 p.m.: Our crews still have a large section on the southwest side of town remaining to complete the second full collection for the west side. Once again the snow yesterday and a couple minor breakdowns through the week have put us two days behind schedule. We are planning to have three crews work Saturday morning on leaf collection, but it seems likely that we will be doing winter operations instead. With that said, it looks like we will probably be on the west side on Monday and Tuesday before we can get started on the final collection for the east side. We will start the east side late on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Dates may change due to the weather and volume of leaves put out for collection, although best efforts will be made to remain on schedule. Snow or freezing weather may significantly delay or permanently halt curbside leaf collection, since some of the equipment used to remove leaves is also used to handle deicing/snowplowing operations.

2018 Collection Schedule

East Side of River

West Side of River

1st Pickup Begins

October 22 DONE

October 29 DONE

2nd Pickup Begins

November 5 DONE

November 12 IN PROGRESS

3rd Pickup Begins

(will only be done weather permitting)

November 19

November 26

How the curbside vacuum collection program works:

Rake leaves to the parkway by 6 a.m. on the Monday of your scheduled week. Leaves will be collected rain or shine.

Crews will make one pass by every qualifying residence during each collection period. Leaves that are placed out after the collection crew has passed by may not be picked up for another two weeks until the next scheduled pickup date.

Leaves should be raked into piles no farther than 6’ back from the curb. Raking leaves into a long windrow will expedite the process. Leaf piles should be in the parkway, as equipment cannot be used in alleys.

Leaves should not be raked into the street. This will obstruct the flow of storm water runoff during rain events and cause street flooding, as well as slippery streets.

Avoid placing debris like sticks, bags, and plastic bottles in leaf piles, as this can cause injury to personnel, damage equipment, and cause delays. Foreign objects also contaminate the leaf material, which is taken to an agricultural site.

The program is intended to collect the majority of leaves residents may have during the curbside vacuum collection program time frame. Residents are encouraged to use other options for leaves that drop after the curbside vacuum collection program has finished for the season.

Various crews are working simultaneously during the program period. Trucks with large vacuum trailers are used for through streets, and a truck with a small trailer vacuum goes into areas where the larger equipment cannot navigate such as cul-de-sacs, “bubbles,” and dead ends.

Limbs/brush should be placed in a separate pile for collection and may not be combined with leaf piles. Limbs/brush should only be placed at the curb if there is a scheduled collection. The final citywide BRUSH collection will be done the week of November 26 for both sides of town.

Ornamental grasses, plants, and corn stalks should be disposed of as yard waste.

LEAF BAG COLLECTION PROGRAM

From December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018, residents may place leaves in brown Kraft yard waste bags and put them out for collection on their scheduled refuse collection day WITHOUT A STICKER. The refuse collection company will collect yard waste bags (no cans) weekly until December 31, 2018.

Only leaves may be placed in the yard waste bags. No grass or other yard waste can be mixed with the leaves. Please try to keep the yard waste bags as dry as possible.

ALTERNATE OPTIONS

Use a mulching lawnmower and mulch leaves back into the lawn. This provides nutrients for the soil.

Place leaves around plant beds and under trees and shrubs. This enhances the soil and provides insulation for the plants.

Stickered yard waste bags/cans will be collected weekly through November 30.

If you have any questions about the leaf programs, please call the Street Division of Batavia Public Works at 630-454-2400. Residents can also view a progress map that is updated daily.